High profile court cases, like Mike Vick's, do you morally support the increased coverage and criticism?

Question

It amazes me how fast, and how viciously, we as a people turn on celebrities the moment they are accused of a crime. Yes, we adore celebrities and hold them to a higher standard, but does that justify crucifying them if they do something wrong? In no way am I supporting a person that has broken federal law; I'm merely questioning the morality of excessive and unnecessary media coverage, as well as the fiery and opinionated personal criticism, that these people get by just being famous and committing a crime.

Mike Vick's recent dog-fitting incident, for example, received an all-day special on ESPN, despite lacking additional information that would warrant such coverage. Additionally, there are plenty of opinionated, and shallow, questions on Y!A that seem to attack Mike Vick as a person rather then question the legal aspect of the case:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuvyLcCKWvNuA80amfUrRNHpy6IX?qid=20070821101040AAu11E7

Additionally, the story is a goldmine to ESPN from a business stand point, which in itself is a morally questionable, since they're cashing in on a crime story.

I believe we as a people are better than that, we're above gawking and pointing fingers at people that have done something wrong; that we don't gossip and further degrade individuals just because they're celebrities.

Answer 1

Morality is relative -- and not something I comment on.

From a practical standpoint, such coverage damages the integrity of the justice system, and makes it more difficult to get a fair verdict in those cases -- which makes people upset, and which ripples back to causing other problems with the rest of the justice system.

It's just another example of people substituting their emotions and biases in place of the law -- which is rarely a good thing.

Answer 2

you're purely 0.5 suitable. there's a extensive volume of racism in this united states of america. yet maximum people who have condemned mike vick are animal fanatics of all races, on a similar time as maximum people who help him are die annoying soccer followers of all races. Even the main racist member of the Ku Klux Klan will possibly say "loose MICHEAL VICK!!" if he happens to be an Atlanta Falcons fan.